Editor’s letter

publication date: May 16, 2008

In another packed issue of News on the Block – the only magazine about flats – we cover plenty of ground.
The credit crunch has been on our minds, and I am sure many of you have been pondering on this. In this issue Mira Bar-Hillel explains how to sell a flat in collapsing market. Allsops, commercial and residential property auctioneers, reports on the general flatness of the flats’ market. And, if you are a property investor you will find the article on page 56 useful – is it time to stock up on UK buy-to-let flats?

Our legal section takes a look at reserve and sinking funds. It explains that leases that do not have provision for such funds will almost invariably leave leaseholders and landlords in a difficult position because they will need to find large sums to carry out necessary works often on very short notice. Elsewhere Nicholas Kissen of the Leasehold Advisory Service considers some of the intricacies of the modern-day lease and warns that in legal terms, no two leases are the same – see his step-by-step guide on page 24.

Along with our regular columnists – Jane Barry and Peter Haler – we have writers touching on the subject of tower block management, HIPs, the environment, lease extension plus many other topics related to flats.

If you haven’t already, we trust that you will subscribe on behalf of your building and fellow residents after seeing our useful content. When you subscribe you will receive year-round information to assist you in your block management duties. Turn to page 37 to see our latest subscription offer.

Jamie Reid, editor

The News on the Block Blog has now launched and is regularly updated with comment, thoughts, opinion and advice about flats. Visit: http://residents.newsontheblock.com/blog/